Before You Know It (usually Byki) is
language acquisition
Language acquisition is the process by which humans acquire the capacity to perceive and comprehend language. In other words, it is how human beings gain the ability to be aware of language, to understand it, and to produce and use words and s ...
software package that listens to students and gives them detailed feedback on their pronunciation. There is also
freeware
Freeware is software, often proprietary, that is distributed at no monetary cost to the end user. There is no agreed-upon set of rights, license, or EULA that defines ''freeware'' unambiguously; every publisher defines its own rules for the free ...
for both
Windows
Windows is a Product lining, product line of Proprietary software, proprietary graphical user interface, graphical operating systems developed and marketed by Microsoft. It is grouped into families and subfamilies that cater to particular sec ...
and
Mac OS X
macOS, previously OS X and originally Mac OS X, is a Unix, Unix-based operating system developed and marketed by Apple Inc., Apple since 2001. It is the current operating system for Apple's Mac (computer), Mac computers. With ...
which does not check pronunciation.
Paid versions present continuous text, which can be used in various ways. The freeware version uses a
flashcard
A flashcard or flash card is a card bearing information on both sides, usually intended to practice and/or aid memorization. It can be virtual (part of a flashcard software) or physical.
Typically, each flashcard bears a question or definition ...
software system. Courses were available in over 70 languages.
Courses branded as Byki were produced by
Transparent Language Online, which still produces courses under that and other names.
The system is based on
declarative learning
Declarative learning is acquiring information that one can speak about (contrast with motor learning). The capital of a state is a declarative piece of information, while knowing how to ride a bike is not. Episodic memory and semantic memory a ...
of a new language with English as the base language (except English is taught with Spanish as the base language), using the idea that the best way to approach a new language is through its vocabulary and pronunciation. The software has a
virtual community
A virtual community is a social network of individuals who connect through specific social media, potentially crossing geographical and political boundaries in order to pursue mutual interests or goals. Some of the most pervasive virtual commu ...
of users who make the vocabulary database bigger.
This
flashcard
A flashcard or flash card is a card bearing information on both sides, usually intended to practice and/or aid memorization. It can be virtual (part of a flashcard software) or physical.
Typically, each flashcard bears a question or definition ...
software
program
Program (American English; also Commonwealth English in terms of computer programming and related activities) or programme (Commonwealth English in all other meanings), programmer, or programming may refer to:
Business and management
* Program m ...
helps learning and remembering dozens of foreign languages
vocabulary
A vocabulary (also known as a lexicon) is a set of words, typically the set in a language or the set known to an individual. The word ''vocabulary'' originated from the Latin , meaning "a word, name". It forms an essential component of languag ...
words and is available for both
Windows
Windows is a Product lining, product line of Proprietary software, proprietary graphical user interface, graphical operating systems developed and marketed by Microsoft. It is grouped into families and subfamilies that cater to particular sec ...
and
Macintosh
Mac is a brand of personal computers designed and marketed by Apple Inc., Apple since 1984. The name is short for Macintosh (its official name until 1999), a reference to the McIntosh (apple), McIntosh apple. The current product lineup inclu ...
. The
language software
Computer-assisted language learning (CALL), known as computer-aided instruction (CAI) in British English and computer-aided language instruction (CALI) in American English, Levy (1997: p. 1) briefly defines it as "the exploration and study of co ...
has interactive vocabulary practice, progress tracker and sound files. It aims to be a personalized language-learning system that locks foreign language words and phrases into memory.
A distinctive feature in paid versions is their ability to record and graph the learner's pronunciation in detail, and compare it to the native speaker's pronunciation of the same words stored in the program. Paid versions teach 1,000-1,500 words per language.
The software was discontinued in 2017.
See also
*
Language education
Language education refers to the processes and practices of teaching a second language, second or foreign language. Its study reflects interdisciplinarity, interdisciplinary approaches, usually including some applied linguistics. There are f ...
*
Language pedagogy
Language pedagogy is the discipline concerned with the theories and techniques of teaching language. It has been described as a type of teaching wherein the teacher draws from their own prior knowledge and actual experience in teaching language. Th ...
*
List of language self-study programs
Self-study language acquisition programs allow learning without having a teacher present, and the courses can supplement or replace classroom instruction. Universities use self-study programs for less-commonly taught languages, where having profess ...
References
External links
*{{Official, http://www.byki.com/
Review by Lang1234
Language learning software